Contacts at the GSD and Harvard University
The Office of Student Services houses the following functions: Dean of Students, Admissions, Career Services, Financial Aid, Registrar and the summer Career Discovery Program. For more information and how to contact us, follow this link: Student Services.
Academic Counseling
Your academic advisor is there to review your course enrollments; discuss and approve independent studies, course waivers, add/drop petitions and any other academic issues you may have.
Your program director and staff, the program coordinator, are there to help you get through. They are your main point of contact for the administrative odds and ends of your degree. You should also contact your program coordinator if you get sick or another emergency prevents you from attending class or studio. The office will contact your instructors.
Common issues that your program director can address are: petitions for independent studios, extensions on incomplete grades, pursuing concurrent degrees, changes in your full-time status (taking a leave of absence, going part-time), issues with instructors or critics.
Fulfilling Degree Requirements:
Program Coordinators are the point persons to discuss fulfilling degree requirements. You are ultimately responsible for making sure you are meeting program requirements, but the program coordinator will be following your progress and filling out degree checks. If you have any questions about waiving or substituting courses, whether a course fulfills a distributional requirement or history elective, check in with your program coordinator.
Some advice: Trust your program coordinator. There may be times when you really need to talk to your program director and the next appointment is five days away. If you are honest about the urgency of your situation, allowances can probably be made. Remember that conversations with any of us will remain confidential.
Program Directors and Program Coordinators:
Architecture:
Monica Ponce de Leon, MArch I and MArch II programs (617) 495-9424
Margaret Meaney, program coordinator (617) 496-1234
Landscape Architecture:
Christian Werthmann, MLA I and MLA II programs (617) 495-9675
Grace Kulegian, program coordinator (617) 495-4839
Urban Planning and Design:
Richard Sommer, MAUD and MLAUD programs (617) 496-0550
Jerold Kayden, MUP programs (617) 496-0830
Timothy Smith, program coordinator (617) 495-9571
Ellen Colleran, program coordinator (617) 495-2521
Advanced Studies Programs:
Dan Schodek, MDesS program (617) 495-2294
Antoine Picon, DDes and PhD programs (617) 495-9061
Barbara Elfman , ASP program coordinator (617) 495-2337
Loeb Fellowship:
Jim Stockard, Loeb Fellowship (617) 495-5988
Sally Young, Loeb program coordinator (617) 495-9345
Cindy Fallows, Loeb assistant (617) 494-8387
Academic Support Services at the GSD
In addition to your program directors, there are some academic support services available through the Office of Student Services.
General Counseling Resources at the GSD
Laura Snowdon, Assistant Dean for Student Services, Gund 422, (617) 496-1236, is the primary resource for GSD students with emotional, medical or disability concerns, difficulty with the English language, as well as any other problems or issues you wish to discuss. All conversations will remain confidential. Appointments are not necessary but, if you can't catch up with her, email her to set one up.
Pat Roberts, Executive Dean, Gund 422, (617) 495-0774, has general responsibility for the welfare of GSD students and monitors students' academic status, progress and discipline. She is available to discuss any problems that may arise including grade appeals or sexual harassment complaints.
Counseling Resources Outside the GSD
Counseling Resources at Harvard
Do you just need someone to talk to? An objective outside voice? Someone who is experienced in helping people with issues similar to yours? Here are some resources.
Counseling Resources Outside of Harvard
This site offers additional sources of information and assistance. This list is only a sampling; if you know of other useful sources of support, please email Laura Snowdon, Dean of Students.
